Garhwal Post Bureau
Dehradun, 20 Nov: A high-level review meeting on the Lakhwar-Vyasi Hydropower Project was convened today under the chairmanship of District Magistrate Savin Bansal here today. During the review meeting various project-affected stakeholders, departmental representatives and revenue officials also participated.
The DM held a comprehensive review of the project’s progress and issued a series of directives to ensure its timely and effective implementation. Emphasising the strategic importance of the project, he stated that the Lakhwar-Vyasi Hydroelectric Project is a top priority for the State, the Nation, as well as of Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami and, therefore, needs to be fast tracked by all the stakeholders to translate this vision into ground-level execution at the earliest.
During the meeting, Bansal closely examined the status of compensation disbursement against land acquisition, housing, and other assets belonging to affected families. He instructed that both the compensation and ex-gratia payments must be completed within a defined timeframe. In respect of the properties where valuation remains pending or where objections have been raised by affected families, he directed that a formal process be initiated to conduct asset valuation in a structured and transparent manner. To expedite grievance redressal, he ordered that officials from the departments concerned organise weekly camps at the local level, enabling affected parties to raise their concerns under one roof.
One of the key issues raised in the meeting by the affected families pertained to the eligibility of those who had separated before March 2023 but whose updated entries in the online portal were recorded only after that date. These families are currently being considered as separate entities only from 2023 onwards, thereby rendering them ineligible for full compensation. Responding to this concern, the DM assured that a proposal would be forwarded to the Government to consider such families as rightful beneficiaries.
The DM further directed Special Land Acquisition Officer (SLO) Smrita Parmar to ensure that compensation is disbursed to all eligible individuals without delay. He further instructed that the valuation of permanent and immovable assets in the project-affected areas must be completed promptly and with full transparency through dedicated valuation camps, so that payment procedures are not hindered. A review of pending cases related to ex-gratia assistance was also undertaken in the meeting and in this regard, clear instructions were issued to provide financial aid to all eligible beneficiaries immediately.
Highlighting the national and regional significance of the Lakhwar-Vyasi Project, Bansal urged all the related departments to fulfil their responsibilities with utmost seriousness. Affected persons present at the meeting also submitted their suggestions and grievances concerning compensation, relocation, rehabilitation, and other local matters. Taking serious note of each issue raised, the DM issued appropriate instructions to the concerned officials and assured that all the procedures would be conducted strictly in accordance with rules and in a transparent manner. He reiterated that the Lakhwar-Vyasi Hydropower Project is a vital initiative for the state’s development and affirmed the administration’s commitment to ensuring its successful and time-bound execution.
Among those present at the meeting were ADM KK Mishra, SLO Smrita Parmar, SDM, Vikasnagar, Vinod Kumar, General Manager, UJVNL, M Karati, Superintending Engineer, PWD, OP Singh, Jagmohan Singh Chauhan of Lakhamandal Jal Kalyan Samiti, General Secretary Swaraj Singh Tomar, along with other affected persons and the officials from the departments concerned.
